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The Comparison Prices Listed are Based on NBN25 Plans
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While most of Australia is now connected to the NBN and upgrades continuing across the country, you might be wondering what broadband alternatives to the National Broadband Network are available. One such option is home wireless broadband, which allows you to connect your home and devices to the very same 4G and 5G mobile networks you use on your phone every day. Curious about home wireless broadband and whether it’s right for you? Find our home wireless internet guide below.
Home wireless broadband, also known as wireless internet, is considered one of the best alternatives to the National Broadband Network.
Unlike the NBN, which usually requires a fixed connection to connect your home to the internet, home wireless broadband allows you to “plug and play” by connecting your home to the same mobile network your phone and other mobile devices connect to. When you receive your home wireless broadband modem, you don’t need to organise a visit with a technician to get your modem set up, just plug it in and connect.
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There are a number of home wireless broadband providers in Australia, most of which these days offer both 4G home internet and 5G home internet.
You can find out more about these home wireless broadband providers, and their 4G and 5G internet plans, below.
| Provider & Data Allowance | Cost / Month | Features |
|---|---|---|
| SpinTel 500GB / month | $49.95 / month first 6 months $59.95 / month after | No lock-in contract Modem: +$7/month or +$210 outright |
| TPG Unlimited Data | $54.99 / month | No lock-in contract Modem: Included |
| Yomojo 200GB / month | $59.90 / month | No lock-in contract Modem: +$179 upfront |
| iiNet Unlimited Data | $59.99 / month | No lock-in contract Modem: Included |
| Tangerine 200GB / month | $59.90 / month first 6 months $69.90 / month after | No lock-in contract Modem: Optional BYO or purchase upfront |
| Tangerine 200GB / month | $59.90 / month first 6 months $69.90 / month after | No lock-in contract Modem: Optional BYO or purchase upfront |
| Optus 500GB / month | $69 / month | Month-to-month or 24-month contract Modem: Included with 24-month contract |
| Yomojo 500GB / month | $69.90 / month | No lock-in contract Modem: +$179 upfront |
*Figures are for illustrative purposes only and don’t compare all products, providers, plan features, offers, or rates. Products are compared like-for-like and any distinctions between products are clearly marked. Not all offers may be available in all locations. Any offers or costs compared are for example purposes only and may change based on your individual circumstances or habits. Offers and availability are subject to change. Valid April 2022.
Important Information Show Less
| Provider & Plan Name | Cost / Month | Features |
|---|---|---|
| SpinTel Standard | $69 / month | Up to 100Mbps download speeds Modem: Included |
| TPG Premium | $69.99 / month | Up to 100Mbps download speeds Modem: Included |
| iiNet Premium | $74.99 / month | Up to 100Mbps download speeds Modem: Included |
| Optus 5G Internet Everyday | $79 / month | Up to 100Mbps download speeds Modem: $0 if you stay for 36 months (RRP $576) |
| TPG 5G Max | $79.99 / month | Uncapped download speeds Modem: included |
| SpinTel Max speed | $80 / month first 6 months $90 / month after | Uncapped download speeds Modem: Included |
| iiNet 5G Max | $84.99 / month | Uncapped download speeds Modem: Included |
| Optus 5G Internet Entertainer Superfast | $89 / month | Uncapped download speeds Modem: $0 if you stay for 36 months (RRP $576) |
| Yomojo 5G Home Max | $89.90 / month | Uncapped download speeds Modem: +$820 upfront |
*Figures are for illustrative purposes only and don’t compare all products, providers, plan features, offers, or rates. Products are compared like-for-like and any distinctions between products are clearly marked. Not all offers may be available in all locations. Any offers or costs compared are for example purposes only and may change based on your individual circumstances or habits. Offers and availability are subject to change. Valid April 2022.
Important Information Show Less
As stated above, home wireless broadband is seen as the most popular alternative to the NBN.
The biggest difference between home wireless broadband and the NBN is that home wireless broadband is, well, wireless. Unlike the NBN, which often requires a visit from a technician to get your broadband set up at home, you can just unbox your home wireless broadband modem, plug it in, and connect.
Below, we summarise the difference between home wireless broadband and the NBN.
| Home Wireless Broadband | NBN |
|---|---|
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The 4G mobile network is still the most expansive mobile network in Australia and while parts of the country do not yet have access to 5G, most people can reliably connect to 4G.
If you’re considering a 4G internet connection for your home, there are a few important things to remember:
4G home wireless broadband speeds can be as low as 12Mbps, with typical speeds between 20Mbps and 30Mbps. Depending on your plan, standard NBN connections can reach speeds of up to 100Mbps, while NBN Superfast and NBN Ultrafast can have download speeds up to 250Mbps or more.
4G home internet usually comes with capped data limits. Depending on your plan this could be anywhere from 250GB per month, up to 500GB per month. Most NBN plans these days come with unlimited data.
While 4G home internet might be an attractive broadband option, it’s best for low-to-moderate internet users who don’t necessarily connect multiple devices at once or want to stream or game online in HD.
The 5G rollout is continuing to rapidly expand across Australia, and more and more telcos are offering 5G home internet as a faster alternative to the NBN.
If you’re one of the lucky households that are currently covered by one of the 5G networks and want to consider 5G home internet as an NBN alternative, there are a couple of things you should think about before making the switch.
While 5G can, theoretically, reach speeds on par with the fastest NBN plans, there is still not yet enough data to accurately compare the two types of broadband connections. If you’re a heavy internet user, 5G might not yet be reliable enough for your lifestyle.
Like most NBN plans, 5G wireless broadband usually comes with unlimited data.
The cost of 5G home internet plans is decreasing as the technology becomes more accessible, but for lighter internet users you might be better off choosing a cheaper NBN plan.
Depending on your 5G internet plan, you might need to pay a hefty upfront cost (up to $250 or more) for a 5G home wireless modem, while most NBN plans allow you to either bring your own (BYO) modem or pay between $60 and $150 for a new one.
5G home internet is certainly an attractive option, but it’s important to do your research before switching as the 5G network is still in its infancy in Australia. If you’re dead-set on switching to 5G home wireless broadband, consider finding a plan with no lock-in contract in case it isn’t quite right for you.
Looking for a New Internet Plan for Your Home?
Selectra Can Provide Advice & Help You Find The Best Plan
Selectra Can Provide Advice & Help You Find The Best Plan
There’s a lot to think about before switching to a home wireless broadband plan and while home wireless broadband might be good for some, it might not be right for other households.
Before choosing home wireless broadband as your NBN alternative, consider:
While both home wireless broadband and mobile broadband utilise the mobile network to connect your devices to the internet, mobile broadband (also known as data-only) is designed to bring the internet on the go with you.
Home wireless broadband requires a special modem, that you plug in and connect your devices to in your home. Mobile broadband is more often than not a SIM card that you can insert into your tablet, mobile hotspot, or WiFi dongle to bring the internet with you.
While we often use the term “WiFi” to describe the internet available in our homes, it actually refers to the wireless signal that is transmitted from your modem to your devices. Home wireless broadband is simply a type of internet connection that allows you to connect your devices wirelessly.
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